Xbox Live, which launched in November 2002, is a major reason why multiplayer console gaming is as popular as it is today. Users created gamertags and with minimal effort compared to previous multiplayer gaming services were soon connected to a stable network full of mostly friendly fellow gamers. Gaming headsets, which are critical to the Xbox Network experience, have advanced significantly since the flimsy headsets that shipped with earlier Xbox consoles. Much more durable now, the typical Xbox One headset combines immersive spatial audio effects with noise-cancelling microphones for stable and clear communication.

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Unfortunately, not all wired and wireless gaming headsets on the market function seamlessly with the Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S. Some wireless options require separate USB adapters, while others simply won't connect to Xbox consoles at all. However, there are numerous headsets available for Xbox consoles that don't require added accessories and take still advantage of audio advancements like Dolby Atmos surround sound. Accommodating many different budgets, each of the following Xbox One headset options offers powerful and dynamic sound and often are compatible with PCs and other gaming consoles.

The official Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset is a popular choice among fans of Microsoft's consoles, but it's not the only headset designed for the Xbox One. With Razer's usual green and black color scheme, the Kaira Pro looks every bit like a Microsoft-approved device with the added bonus of RGB lighting. Like the official Microsoft wireless headset, the Kaira Pro connects to all Xbox consoles directly without the need for an additional USB adapter.

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Razer's TriForce 50mm drivers eclipse the 40mm drivers of the official Xbox wireless headset, and listeners will never feel that the volume of the Kaira Pro is lacking. Memory foam ear cushions give the Kaira Pro a somewhat bulky look, but users won't notice as they game for hours without earlobe pain. Although the Razer Kaira Pro is intended primarily for Xbox consoles, the available Bluetooth connection means that the wireless gaming headset can also connect to a host of mobile devices and media players, even while gaming.

Considering its flawless connectivity to Xbox consoles and notable advantages over the official Microsoft alternative, the Razer Kaira Pro is an Xbox One headset that's impossible to ignore. There's a lot to love about this powerful headset, which we covered in our recent review of the Razer Kaira Pro.

A runner-up for our "best overall" pick, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless gaming headset, one of the only downsides to this headset is its high price. While it's definitely not the most expensive headset, it's still higher than the average gaming headset. However, that cost is money well spent, as the Arctis Nova Pro is packed with features.

The genuine leather earcups are super soft and the memory foam on the headset makes it easy to forget it’s there. Meanwhile, the noise cancellation and impressive drivers deliver crystal clear audio from almost any device. The bluetooth is far from the best, especially considering the price, but the wireless connection to consoles and PC is flawless.

Our recent review of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro goes into even more detail on what makes this wireless headset so great.

If the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is too much of a financial investment, the Recon 70x is an affordable and surprisingly capable wired alternative. The green and black Recon 70x is an officially licensed Xbox peripheral and supports the Windows Sonic spatial audio format. Using an analog audio cable, the headset connects to most console controllers as well as PCs. Unfortunately, the attached cable is on the short side at around 4 feet long, but this is hardly a concern for Xbox gamers who hold onto their controllers.

The Turtle Beach Recon 70x is predominantly plastic in its construction, but this contributes to its comfortable and lightweight profile. There is plenty of foam cushioning on both the earpads and headband, dispelling the notion that budget headsets aren't pleasant to wear for hours at a time.

Turtle Beach headsets excel at FPS games, and the Recon 70x carries on this tradition. The 40mm drivers powering this headset aren't the most powerful among its competition, but high mid and low tones are well-balanced with a generous amount of thumping bass. The Recon 70x also includes a highly-sensitive microphone that flips up to mute when users simply want to listen to music.

The Turtle Beach Recon 70x is a straightforward, no-frills device with limited customization options. Regardless, as the best Xbox headset among wired candidates, the Recon 70x takes full advantage of the console's surround sound capabilities with a simple plug-and-play connection.

Trying to find a budget-priced wireless headset that is compatible with the Xbox One is not as straightforward as it first seems. Fortunately, most wired gaming headsets like the Logitech G432 work fine after simply plugging them into the controller's headphone jack. The G432 also offers some seriously impressive audio quality for the price, powered by 50 mm drivers. The wired headset also includes a USB DAC for enhanced compatibility with the PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.

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With plush premium leather earcups that rotate 90 degrees, the Logitech G432 feels as comfortable to wear as it looks. The G432 supports DTS Headphone:X 2.0 surround sound, but listeners will need a PC and the Logitech G Hub app to fully take advantage of this technology. Even so, the Logitech G432 is an Xbox One headset with robust sound and an emphasis on comfort during long gaming sessions.

For more on this budget-friendly Xbox-compatible headset, read our full review of the Logitech G432.

The MAX in Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX should stand for maximum compatibility since the wireless gaming headset works with nearly any console. Xbox gamers will appreciate the fact that the Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max is officially licensed by Microsoft, but the headset will also connect to the PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

The Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max is an incredible value because of its 50mm drivers outputting powerful sound that fully supports spatial audio for an immersive gaming experience. Also, the 48-hour or more battery life is nearly unmatched by any other wireless gaming headset offering this sound quality. Turtle Beach has a stellar reputation for quality microphones on their headsets, and the Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max does not disappoint with crystal clear voice quality and accurate recording. The Turtle Beach 600 Gen 2 Max touting top-notch compatibility, performance, and battery life is the best Xbox One headset for gamers with a modest budget.

Make sure to check out our full review of the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max.

For gamers who demand the best sound quality, Turtle Beach had no answer in recent years for ultra-high-end options like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The pricey Stealth Pro aims to change that, with a feature set that ranks it among the best wireless headsets.

The Stealth Pro's 50 mm Nanoclear drivers not only pump out plenty of bass and volume but are carefully crafted for perfect left/right channel audio balance. To further justify its asking price, the Stealth Pro offers active noise cancellation which performs better than any other comparable gaming headset. Four internal mics in the wireless headset monitor environments, allowing the device to reduce background noise by as much as 25 decibels. Accordingly, the Stealth Pro also has a noise cancelling TruSpeak boom microphone that isolates a multiplayer gamer's voice for enhanced clarity.

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Xbox gamers will want to make sure that they purchase the Xbox version of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro, since the PlayStation version's USB wireless hub is not compatible with Microsoft consoles. The Stealth Pro is an excellent choice for Xbox owners looking for spatial sound, fully supporting the Windows Sonic format. Turtle Beach made sure to include their Superhuman hearing feature with the headset as well, which enhances subtle but vital sound effects like approaching footsteps.

Console gamers can also appreciate that settings and profiles are adjustable in the Turtle Beach Audio Hub mobile app, as opposed to using a PC program. The Stealth Pro also enables listeners to monitor activity on mobile devices, with simultaneous Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity.

The sleek-looking Stealth Pro has a combined 24-hour battery life with 2 swappable batteries. That ranks it behind competitors like the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, but the spare battery is continuously charged by the wireless base station. Even with a few disappointments, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro supports many Xbox-exclusive features, and its sound quality and noise cancelation effectiveness is without a rival.

For a closer look at this new wireless headset, read our full review of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro.

Astro headsets were popular choices for Xbox gamers even before Logitech acquired the brand several years ago. The Logitech G Astro A30 not only is fully compatible with the Xbox One but supports more recent consoles as well, thanks to its incredibly versatile LIGHTSPEED USB dongle. As a high-end headset, gamers expect top-notch audio quality and the 40mm drivers on the A30 pump out sound with ample volume that's well-balanced between low, mid, and high tones.

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Gamers have plenty of options for communicating with teammates during multiplayer gaming with the Logitech Astro G A30, considering it includes both internal and external microphones. Battery life is usually another strength of Astro wireless gaming headsets, and the Astro A30 will keep going for more than 27 hours before recharging is required. With distinctive futuristic styling and widespread compatibility with sources, the Logitech Astro G A30 is the best headset for Xbox One gamers who plan on upgrading to a next-gen machine.

For more on this feature-packed wireless headset, read our full review of the Logitech Astro G A30.

Finding an Xbox One headset that works wirelessly with the console without additional adapters is difficult enough. If a gamer is also looking for RGB lighting effects, the mission is even more perilous. Fortunately, the Razer Nari Ultimate meets both of these requirements.

As an official Microsoft Xbox licensed device, the Nari Ultimate connects to Xbox consoles with a simple pairing process without any USB dongles. Also, the wireless headset supports Windows Sonic, a useful surround sound format that informs gamers about eminent dangers before tragedy strikes. PC gamers will have to purchase an Xbox wireless adapter which is also used for controllers. Otherwise, the Nari Ultimate does not support Bluetooth or sources with analog audio connections.

The Nari Ultimate features potent 50 mm neodymium magnetic drivers, but its real selling point is its HyperSense haptic feedback, which enables listeners to feel rumbling when explosions and other dramatic events occur. HyperSense does take an unfortunate toll on the Nari Ultimate's battery life, reducing it from 20 to as few as 6 hours.

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Razer Chroma is one of the most popular RGB lighting ecosystems. Although the lighting effects on the Nari Ultimate are somewhat understated, Razer's famous three-headed snake logo illuminates proudly on the earcups. The headband adjusts automatically to accommodate gamers of any size, and earpads consisting of cooling gel ensure that long gaming sessions remain comfortable.

With limited connectivity to other devices, the Razer Nari Ultimate is a wireless headset truly targeting Xbox consoles. The HyperSense haptic feedback is more than just a gimmick, making gamers feel more immersed in the action. Although pricey, the Nari Ultimate is the best Xbox One headset for RGB lighting fanatics.

Noise cancellation is almost a requirement for some gamers who live in crowded or noisy environments. Unfortunately, when it comes to Xbox gaming headsets, options with active noise cancellation are rare to say the least. The JBL Quantum One is a wired headset that connects to most devices including the Xbox One, and features some of the best noise-blocking technology among any headset.

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JBL is not widely known for producing gaming gear, but the Quantum One's design screams gamer, with some dramatic RGB lighting on its earcups. The Hi-Res 50mm drivers will give eardrums all they can handle with copious amounts of volume and plenty of rumbling bass effects. Unfortunately, to take full advantage of the JBL Quantum One's support for spatial audio or make adjustments, listeners will need a PC. However, for Xbox One gamers, the sound quality is second to none and the Quantum One is the best Xbox headset for audiophiles who demand high-fidelity sound.

Find out more about how this headset drowns out unwanted noises and read our full review of the JBL Quantum ONE Gaming Headset.

The Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset is a high-quality headset specifically designed for Xbox consoles. Because it's a headset that works almost exclusively with Xbox systems, the technology between the two devices works seamlessly with party chats and other functions of the console.

The headset features Xbox Wireless radio technology that allows you to pair the headset right to your console without the need for a cable, dongles, or a base station. This makes the Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset easier to use when you're in a rush to get back to the game. The Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset has a rechargeable battery that provides up to 15 hours of use, and it can be connected to your console using Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth, or the included USB-C cable.

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One of the standout features of the Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset is its support for a range of spatial sound technologies, including Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos, and DTS Headphone:X. These technologies help to create an immersive audio experience that puts you right in the center of the action. The headset also has an auto-mute and voice isolation feature that helps to reduce noise interruption and ensures crystal-clear chat during gameplay. The rotating earcup dials allow you to easily adjust the volume and game/chat levels, and the headset has a flexible, lightweight design with an adjustable headband for comfortable wear.

The Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset is the best Xbox One Headset for gamers who want no-fuss connectivity and settings tailored for Xbox consoles.

If a gamer owns multiple consoles as well as a PC, the amount of platform-specific peripherals needed can quickly add up. The Sony Pulse 3D is an excellent gaming headset that is designed for use with the PS4 and PS5 but also works quite well with Xbox consoles through a wired connection to a controller. If you own both an Xbox and Playstation, this headset can serve you well on both consoles. One of the key features of the Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is its hidden noise-canceling microphones, which allow you to chat with friends while gaming without interference.

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The headset also has easy-access controls that allow listeners to quickly adjust audio and chat settings. Also, the peripheal has a built-in rechargeable battery that provides up to 12 hours of wireless play. The headset can be easily connected to the PS5 or PS4 console using the included wireless adapter, and it can also be used with PS VR and mobile devices. Xbox One users should connect the Pulse 3D directly to controllers using an analog audio cable. It's worth noting that the built-in headset controls are not supported on PS VR and mobile devices.

Is it Worth Buying an Xbox One Headset?

The Xbox One launched in November 2013 and manufacturing of the console didn't cease until 2022. Various improvements on the original Xbox One surfaced over the years, including the Xbox One S and X in 2016 and 2017. Even today, the Xbox One holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers who are reluctant to upgrade to the Xbox Series X or S.

It may seem foolish to invest in peripherals like gaming headsets designed for older consoles. However, devices made for the Xbox One, much like hardware intended for the PS4, are usually compatible with newer gaming systems. Even wireless gaming headsets like the Razer Nari Ultimate and the official Xbox Wireless Headset connect using the same wireless protocol that's available in the latest Microsoft consoles.

For PC gamers, older Xbox headsets and controllers have the advantage of working with Windows rigs, whether through wireless USB dongles, or wired USB and analog audio connections. Future-proof and versatile, there is really no reason for an Xbox One gamer to turn down the immersive gaming experience that only the best Xbox headset offers.

How to Choose the Best Headset for You

Choosing a headset can be a bit overwhelming with so many options available. Every player is going to value different features, so deciding what you want from your headset is the first step to buying a new one. In general, players should choose a headset based on:

• Compatibility – Some headsets are compatible with almost every device, while others can only connect to a certain console. Players should think about which devices they’ll want to connect their new headset to.
• Durability & Comfort – Players should consider how often they will use the headset and for how long. More durable headsets offer features like metal headbands and thick memory foam. The higher quality materials used, the longer the headset is expected to last.
• Wired vs. Wireless – While some headsets can operate either wired or wirelessly, most gaming headsets can’t be both. Most players know which type of headset they like, but it’s important to note that the major difference between wired and wireless gaming headsets is the battery life. Some gamers hate recharging their headsets, while others would much rather not have another cord on their desk.
• Performance – Most gaming headsets offer decent performance, but it can vary widely. Knowing how important features like noise-cancellation, sound isolation, and a long battery life are will help players choose a headset.
• Price – Gaming headsets are typically priced between $35 and $200. Most gamers can expect to spend around $80 for a headset that will perform well and last a while. However, by adding or removing features, headsets can easily fall outside this price range.

Thinking about these factors is the best way to choose a great gaming headset. Some gamers may also want to consider things like RGB lighting, color, or brand name to further narrow their search for the perfect gaming headset for Xbox.

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FAQ

Q: Can I use any headset for my Xbox One?

A: No, you can't. Unlike the PS4, finding a compatible headset for the Xbox One console is more difficult. Although it ships with USB ports and Bluetooth functionality, it sadly doesn't support Bluetooth headset. Luckily, finding the right gaming headset for the Xbox One is not an impossible task as Game Rant's picks above have shown. There are some great headsets on the market that connect seamlessly with the Xbox One. Before buying a headset, ensure that it is indeed compatible with the console.

Q: What is the best gaming headset for Xbox One?

A: Fortunately, Game Rant's list presents multiple best options depending on your budget and preferences. Given its excellent features along with an affordable price, the Razer Kaira Pro is the overall pick. If you prefer wired headsets, then the officially licensed headset for Xbox consoles, the Turtle Beach Recon 7X holds up strongly.

Q: Why is my Xbox One headset not working?

A: Nobody likes a faulty gaming headset. Whether you suddenly can't hear your teammates or they can't hear you, it translates into a bad experience. First, ensure that you didn't accidentally mute the mic. Also check that the headset is correctly connected to the controller. You should also inspect the headset for bent cables, loose headphone jacks, etc.

FAQ

Q: Can I use any headset for my Xbox One?

No, you can't. Unlike the PS4, finding a compatible headset for the Xbox One console is more difficult. Although it ships with USB ports and Bluetooth functionality, it sadly doesn't support Bluetooth headset. Luckily, finding the right gaming headset for the Xbox One is not an impossible task as Game Rant's picks above have shown. There are some great headsets on the market that connect seamlessly with the Xbox One. Before buying a headset, ensure that it is indeed compatible with the console.

Q: What is the best gaming headset for Xbox One?

Fortunately, Game Rant's list presents multiple best options depending on your budget and preferences. Given its excellent features and affordable price, the Razer Kaira Pro is the overall pick. If you prefer wired headsets, the HyperX Cloud III provides outstanding comfort and sound quality without battery life concerns.

Q: Why is my Xbox One headset not working?

Nobody likes a faulty gaming headset. Whether you suddenly can't hear your teammates or they can't hear you, it translates into a bad experience. First, ensure that you didn't accidentally mute the mic. Also, check that the headset is correctly connected to the controller. You should also inspect the headset for bent cables, loose headphone jacks, etc.